A PLEA 


FOR THE 


THEOLOGICAL SaMINARY 


ATF 


PRINCETON, N. J. 


BY 


PHILIP LANDSLY. 


—DIWISSlei— 


TRENTON, 
PRINTED BY GEORGE SHERMAN, 


1821 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


=m Qen- 


Tur folowing discourse was delivered before the Presbytery of New- 
Brunswick, at their meeting in Trenton, on the sixth day of October, 1818. 
Neither at that time, nor at any time since, until within a few days past, 
had the author the most distant thought of publishing it. He was soon 
apprized, indeed, that he had given offence. This he regretted, because 
he had not designed it, and because he wished to do good and not evil, to 
promote peace and not discord, whenever it should be his lot to address his 
fellow sinners from the pulpit. He suffered, however, the harsh remarks 
which were made, by some ignorantly : by others, perhaps, notin the spirit 
of genuine charity, to pass altogether unnoticed: supposing that time would 
speedily consign the whole matter to oblivion. In this expectation he has 
been disappointed. He has been recently informed, that many things, 
not exactly according to knowledge or truth, continue to be said to his disad- 
vantage, and that he is still labouring under certain imputations and charges, 
grounded, as he believes, on a misapprehension or on a misrepresentation 
of expressions then employed, or opinions then uttered. This, however, 
would be a matter of but little moment to himself or others, were it not that 
truths and principles of real importance and general interest are usually 
somewhat involved in the sentence pronounced on their advocate and de- 
fender. He thinks, therefore, that he had better submit the discourse, with 
all its imperfections, to the candid scrutiny of the public: or, at least, of 
the few friends who have manifested some little anxious curiosity about it, 
than to suffer it any longer to be spoken of from the report of those who 
have seen fit so entirely to mistake and misstate its character. He wishes 
that those who choose to censure, may have before their eyes correct data 
on which to rest their statements: and that those who are more kindly dis- 
posed, may examine and judge for themselves. 


Should any one read the piece with a critick’s eye, it is but justice to the 
author to inform him that he ought to regard it merely as an extemporaneous 
harangue. Such it truly was, so far as any thing written, can be thus denom- 
inated. It was prepared under circumstances in which no man would 
choose to appear before the public. For the sentiments expressed, he holds 
himself fully responsible. 

He now presents the whole performance to the public precisely as he 
pronounced it: without the alteration, or omission, or addition ofa single 
word, or syllable, or letter. And he does so, that it may not be even pre- 
tended, that the discourse as printed, isa different thing from the one 
delivered. He pledges his veracity for the correctness of this declaration, 
And what is more, he is able to prove it. 

The author ;would gladly have availed himself of an author’s privilege of 
correcting much, adding a little, and suppressing a great deal, but for the 
reason assigned. Or rather, he would have preferred silence altogether. 

He hopes that the publication will do no injury, particularly to the no- 
ble cause whiéh he has, with some portion of zeal, essayed to espouse. 

He is indifferent about personal consequences. 

« Magna est veritas, et prevalebit.” 

Princeton, July 1821. 


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DISCOURSE. 


—sto— 


EXODUS, CHAP. XXXV. VER. 2!. 29. 


« And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and 
every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the 
Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, 
and for all his service, and for the holy garments.” 

« The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, 
every man and ‘woman, whose heart made them willing to 
bring, for all manner of work which the Lord had commanded 
to be made by the hand of Moses.” 

Chap. 363 ver. 5, 6, 7.—* And they spake unto Moses, saying, 
the people bring much more than enough for the service of ‘-— 
work which the Lord commanded to make.” 

“ And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be pro- 
claimed throughout the camp, saying, let neither man nor wo- 
man make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. 
So the people were restrained from bringing.” 

“ For the stuff they had was sufficient for ali the work to make 
at, and too much.” 


THE Bible warns us to beware of the world :—not' te be too 
much involved in its cares, pursuits, and interesis:—not to muke 
it our idol, our trust, our chief good:—but to use it so as not to 
abuse it :—thankfully to employ such portion of its good things as 
may fall to our lot in works of charity and mercy; of humanity 
and religion: and with our condition. whatever it be, to be con- 
tented :—to be diligent in business, and yet not to be over anx- 


ious about what we shali eat or drink, or wherewithal we shall 
be clothed. 


Some preachers of the gospel in their zeal, it is to be appre- 
hended, occasionally transcend the scriptural limits in their de- 
nunciations of the world, and in their warnings against it. It 
would seem as if their remarks frequently implied a censure on 
the ordinary industry and enterprise of men in worldly business. 
Ag if it were vanity, and folly, and sin, to be industrious, prudent, 


6 


and economical to such a degree as to accumulate property beyond 
the supply of present wants. Now, if we take a very slightview 
of the actual state of society around us, we shall find that tem- 
perance, sobriety, justice, liberality, and all the virtues, are more 
prevalent among the industrious, thrifty, money-making class of 
our citizens, than among any or all others. And of course, that 
this description of the community is decidedly the best. 


To support one’s family; to educate one’s children; to make 
provision for old age, for sickness, for casualities or adverse dis- 
pensations of providence; to acquire the means of assisting the 
necessitous, of supporting the gospel, of promoting all beneficial, 
charitable, and religious institutions and enterprises, are lawful 
incentives to strive by honest industry to obtain so much of this 
world’s treasures as will suffice for these important purposes. 
Thus far I may safely go. But where precisely to stop, is not 
so easy to decide. That there must ever be great diversity in 
the conditions of men, as regards external cireumstaneces, none, I 
presume, will question. With the same motives therefore to ex- 
ertion in all, there will be various and extremely dissimilar re- 
sulis : arising from the different degrees of intelligence, enterprise, 
perseverance, skill, management, and (what is commonly styled) 
good fortune, with which they undertake and prosecute their seve- 
pal schemes for the attainment of wealth. It is impossible then 

fix the exact boundaries at which they ought to desist; since 
it is manifest that they are not to come out equal im the race, 
whatever may be their desires, and pains, and efforts. les 

One thing however, in the way of limitation, I think I may 
be warranted in laying down; and that is, that it is inconsistent 
with the precepts of religion for a man to seek to accumulate pro- 
perty for selfish purposes merely, or to such an extent as to ren- 
der his children independent, or, in other words, to leave them 
so much wealth as to enable them to live luxuriously without any 
species of employment, or care, or industry on their part. And 
this limitation in the pursuit of riches is pointed out by sound wis- 
dom and human policy, as good and reasonable. Universal ex- 
perience demonstrates that it is dangerous to pass it, and likely 
to defeat the very end which the avaricious and ambitious them- 
selves haye in view in amassing wealth; which generally is, to 
secure ease, and afiluence, and honour to their posterity. The 
heir very frequently squanders foolishly the treasures laid up by 
industry and frugality. But without dwelling longer on these 
matters, I remark, that as there are very few persons in this part 
of our country who are likely to reach this extravagant height of 
fortune, so it is the less necessary to caution men against it. I 
leave my hearers therefore, undisturbed in their various pursuits, 
provided they be honest, and provided they do not make a god 
of the world, and bid them be diligent in business, and to grow 
moderately rich if they can. 


¢ 


Tam now going to tell them what to do with their money 
when they get it. 


They are not to spend it for their own gratification :—not to 
pamper lust, or pride, or vanity: not to encourage idleness and 
dissipation among their children, but for a thousand useful and 
benevolent purposes. A few of which I will briefly mention. 


4. Every man, blessed with the means, is under as much ob- 
ligation to render assistance to a poor suffering neighbour as he is 
to pay a just debt. The indigent and the wretched have claims 
on his property, which, if he refuse to satisfy, he is condemned by 
the law of God, as much as if he were to defraud them of their 
wages. ; 


2, He is bound, according to his ability, to contribute to the 
support of the gospel in his own vicinity: to aid in building, and 
in keeping in good repair, a church, or house for public worship, 
which will accommodate all the people, rich and poor, ‘within a 
particular district, and to contribute liberally towards the main- 
tenance of a respectable minister of the gospel. And here, in 
passing. I shall take the liberty to observe, that very few men 
seem to entertain any just idea at all about this matter of sup- 
porting a pastor. There is not one clergyman of twenty in our 
country who receives an adequate pecuniary support from his 
congregation. In proof of this assertion, I appeal to the fact, 
that so many are obliged to keep schools, to labour on farms, to 
take boarders, or to resort to some other occupation in order to 
add a trifle to the scanty pittance allowed them by their people. 


Correct sentiments are not generally entertained on this sub- 
ject. Men seem to forget that a clergyman has wants of pre- 
cisely the same nature with their own. That himself and fami- 
ly must be fed and clothed and his children educated. That it is 
just as much his duty as it is of any christian to provide for the 
future. 

But besides the ordinary demands for money to which he is 
subject equally with other men, there are some specialties in his 
case which render a larger provision necessary for him. Every 
clergyman, for instance, ought to be enabled to own a valuable li- 
brary, or else every congregation ought to collect a public library 
for the use of both pastor and people. And ten thousand dollars 
would be a sum small enough for any wealthy congregation to 
expend on this object.* 


* Such a sum, or even one much larger, might be raised by a rich congre- 
gation in the space of a very few years without burthening an individual. But 
if it were done within fifty or an hundred years by small annual appropria- 
tions, still the object would be ultimately attained. And no congregation is 
so poor but that it might furnish a small sum annually for this purpose ;—say 
twenty, thirty, fifty, or a hundred dollars. Such a sum judiciously expended 


A minister of the gospel ought to be freed, as far as practiea- 
ble, from worldly cares and pursuits. He ought to be distin- 
guished for liberality and hospitality. He ought to have it in his 
power to set an example to his fock in these respeets, "To give 
to all public, charitable, and religious institutions handsomely and 
munificently. In a word, to be the almoner of his people. This 
he cannot be without a suitable revenue. And it often happens 
that a clergyman is charged with meanness, beeause he is oblig- 
ed. to economize rigidly; to live coarsely, and to make use of 
every honest means to get along: or, what is the truth, his people 
are covetous and withhold from him a decent allowance for his 
services. I might say a great deal on this subject and without 
the imputation of being an interested party. I wish that it may 
be honestly canvassed and thoroughly understood by all the good 
people of our Jand. 


3. There are various other objects which have elaims on the 
purses of the rich, and on all in proportion to the means with 
which Providence has favoured them. Some of these are nearer 
at hand, others more remote. Such as schools, especially charity 
and Sunday schools for the education of the poor: missionary, 
tract, and bible societies: and in general, all institutions which 
have for their object the temporal, moral, spiritual, and eternal 
welfare of our fellow men. 


4. But the object to which I design principally to invite your 
most serious attention at this time, and for which I have selected 
my text by way of accommodation, is the Theological Seminary 
lately established by the supreme judicatory of our church; and 
which is yet almost struggling for existence. 


The want of such an institution had long been perceived and 
lamented by the wisest and most enlightened christians in our 
country. The difficulties which were anticipated, were of so for- 
midable a character. as for years to deter the boldest spirits from 
venturing to exert themselves, agreeably to their wishes, for its 
establishment. At length the attempt was made. And its in- 
cipient progress and prosperity have been such as to cheer the 
hearts of all the genuine friends of enlightened piety throughout 
our land. The corner-stone has been laid amidst many discour- 
aging embarrassments ; but consecrated by the prayers and the 
faith of the few who could look beyond these momentary obstacles 
to that never failing source whence originates every wise and 
truly benevolent plan, and from which alone adequate and sea- 
sonable support can be confidently expected. — ™ 


would in time procure a very valuable collection of books for the mutual bene- 
fit of pastor and flock. The advantages of such a system cannot be detailed in 
anote like this. And they were thought so obvious by the speaker, that he 
merely hinted at the subject in a passing incidental remark :—never dream- 
ing that any hearer could have misapprehended his meaning. — 


9 


Yes, brethren, the great Head of the church was appealed to 
and most humbly invoked to preside over and to direct the desti- 
nies of this school of the prophets. And we firmly believe, what- 
ever may be the apparently adverse trials and occurrences which 
it may be doomed to sustain, that it will eventually triumph over 
them all. Whether the present generation shall have the honour 
of completing the glorious work or not: it will be completed. If 
will find friends and advocates and supporters somewhere and at 
some period. We entertain no fears about the event. But we 
feel for the reputation of the age in which we live: and par- 
ticularly for the sectiow of the church in which it has been loca- 
ted. We do not wish that posterity should rise up and condemn 
the lukewarmness and illiberality of their fathers. We do not 
wish that the christian world, should, as present spectators, be 
permitted to wonder at and to censure the apathy and indiffer- 
ence of their brethren in the immediate vicinity of this infant 
seminary so successfully commenced: but which may be left for 
years to struggle hard before it reaches the maturity and vigour 
of manhood. It was not so in the time of Moses when command- 
ed to build a tabernacle for Jehovah. The people brought gifts 
till they were forbidden to bring any more. 


Now let us inquire into the nature and object, advantages and. 
disadvantages, of this seminary. 


The object, as you know, is to educate and qualify young men 
for the work of the gospel ministry. 

The importance of this object will not be questioned, except 
by those who either openly er secretly disbelieve or disregard the 
gospel. Or by those who are weak enough to imagine that min- 
isters need no education: that the gospel is to be propagated by 
miracle, or what is the same thing, that men are to be called and 
specially inspired by the Holy Ghost for this office. Or by those 
who suppose that the old way of studying for a short time with a 
retired pastor, is the best way. 


The experience of eighteen centuries ought to be sufficient to 
convince the world, or at least the intelligent christian world, 
that religion cannot be inculeated by ignorance: that knowledge 
of no kind is intuitive or innate: that it cannot be acquired but 
by a course of study and application under such teachers and 
with such helps as are adequate to its attainment. That nothing 
great or good is ever effected without pains and industry: or, in 
other words, without resorting to the means naturally adapted to 
the production of the end. No man is expected to excel in any 
mechanical employment; in any literary or scientifick pursuit 5 
in any worldly business; in any honourable or lucrative profes- 
sion, without previously serving an apprenticeship, or submitting 
9 a proper course of discipline and preparatory study. 


10 


Who, for instance, would think of asking an ignorant peasant 
to construct a watch or a telescope: to explain the propertivs of 
the circle, of light, or of colours: to calculate an eclipse: to un- 
fold the mysteries of the planetary system: to defend his pro- 
perty, character or life, in a civil court: to prescribe for him in 
sickness: to amputate a limb, or to perform any one important 
service out of his ordinary sphere? By what kind of process then 
can such a man be deemed suddenly qualified to officiate in that 
most awful, momentous, and deeply interesting of all human con- 
cerns? To explain the mysteries of religion; to become a spi- 
ritual guide to the ignorant, the perverse, and the perishing ? To 
inculeate the sublime doctrines of the gospel: to serve at the 
altar of Jehovah: to be the ambassador of the King of kings: a 
minister of reconciliation: a defender of the faith: a physician 
of souls: an advocate for the truth in opposition to the arts, the 
cunning, the malice, and the learning of the world? 


How was it under the ancient dispensation: under the Jewish 
theocracy? Did the Deity thus judge and thus ordain? Were 
the priests and prophets thus suddenly distinguished and eleva- 
ted? Were they selected for the service of the altar and the 
temple from the rude, ignorant, inexperienced mass of the peo- 
ple? How was it in our Saviour’s time? What does his own ex- 
ample teach us? Did he not himself conform to the established 
Jewish usage, by abstaining from his public ministry till he had 
attained the mature age of thirty? Did he not instruet his own 
disciples patiently and perseveringly for several years before he 
commissioned them to go forth as teachers of others: and then 
not without the extraordinary power of working miracles, and 
the extraordinary illumination and aid of the Holy Spirit, who, 
im every emergency, supplied the defect of natural talent and of 
education; so that they could speak any language and enter the 
lists against every subtle adversary? Could the candidates for 
the sacred office, at the present day, be favoured by the immedi- 
ate instructions of Him who spake as never man spake: could 
they for a length of time equal to that enjoyed by the first preach- 
ers of the gospel, sit under the heavenly voice and wisdom of the 
great master of assemblies, and then like them go forth into the 
harvest with the same extraordinary and miraculeus gifts, and 
under the same divine guidance and assistance, we might safely 
eease any farther concern about the matter. We might then 
leave the work of religion, and preaching and salvation, in the 
hands of God, and wait to see him accomplish his own purposes 
in the way which seemeth good in his sight. 


_ . Now multitudes seem to imagine, or affect to imagine, that as 
the apostles were generally plain, unlettered men, so would it be 
better to let such men now assume the sacred office and trust to 


1i 


the same extraordinary aid. This sort of reasoning often serves 
as a very convenient plea to withhold all countenance and sup- 
port from any system which is likely to make a demand on the 
purse of the selfish and avaricious. The fact is, men generally 
love their gold so much more than they love their souls, that 
any shadow of excuse is eagerly seized on to satisfy their con- 
sciences and to justify their conduct. And if they can but con- 
sciertiously refuse a dollar to the cause of religion, they are con- 
tent; without too nicely scrutinizing the ground on which they 
presume so conscientiously and comfortably to decide and to act. 
This is one of those subjects in regard to which a very con- 
venient latitude is, as it were by common consent, conceded to 
conscience. And men’s consciences are often found to be ve- 
ry happily moulded to the accommodation of their ruling passion. 


There are some entire sects of christians whose creed and 
practice seem to have originated from the secret attachment of 
the heart to the world: and who therefore very cheerfully re- 
linquish to the divine spirit the labour and expense of main- 
taining and propagating the benevolent principles of the gos- 
pel. There are not a few individuals of the same stamp a- 
mong all denominations of christians; and in our own, it is be- 
lieved, may be found a goodly number of the same cold-heart- 
ed, mammon loving cast, who grudge every farthing they are 
constrained to give, and who never do give, but as if they were 
giving alms to a sturdy beggar, rather to get rid of his im- 
portunity than from any desire to assist him, or from any con- 
viction that he deserves assistance. 


I am aware that some notions are prevalent in our country 
which perhaps do not obtain to the same extent in any other: 
and which may account, in a small degree, for this seeming 
anomaly. It is fashionable to believe that learning is a dan- 
gerous thing in any hands, ‘That the people can be better 
served without it than with it. That public offices can be more 
safely and advantageously filled by plain honest men than by 
jearned men. And hence it often happens that artful intrigu- 
ing men, without wisdom or principle, are elevated by a de- 
ceived people to stations from which the prudent, modest, in- 
telligent, unambitious, and worthiest citizens are excluded. I 
shall not comment on this fact. If this abuse be inseparable from 
our peculiar political institutions, we must submit to it. We 
must take the evil with the good. For well persuaded am I that 
we could not make a change in these respects for the better. 
And certainly no nation on earth has half the reason to be satisfied 
with its. government and laws, and with the general administra- 
tion of them, that we have. Let it not be supposed then that I 
reflect on the political establishments of my country. 


12 


_ "Phe general prejudice against learning at which I have just 
hinted, may account in part for the indifference manifested tow- 
ards learned clergymen; and to every plan for the education of 
youth for the ministry. Glad, however, would I be to be con- 
vineed that it might be wholly resolved into this general pre- 
judice. But I am persuaded that the evil lies deeper. That 
it springs from indifference and opposition to the religion of Je- 
sus. This too for many years has been a very popular sentiment 
throughout christendom. There has long been mueh avowed, and 
there is still much secret infidelity in the world. And although 
open hostility te the gospe] has, in a great measure, ceased, yet 
the spirit of the monster is still lurking amongst us. It is under 
a degree of prudential restraint. Or it has assumed other forms, 
and operates in a different mode. Men, by a sort of tacit com- 
pact, have agreed to let religion, and religious men, and religious 
institutions alone. Or else, under the guise of the name, have 
ventured to efface its peculiar discriminating features and to 
mould it into a form very little, if at all, differing from the system 
advocated by its opponents. 


But, brethren, allow me to appeal to facts. What says the 
history of the christian church? Go to its commencement. Ex- 
amine the qualifications of its original founders. We have al- 
ready hinted at their peculiar and distinguishing advantages and 
prerogatives : such as have never since been enjoyed or possessed. 
Who succeeded them? Men of the greatest learning then in the 
world. Men of whom the world was unworthy. Men who could 
put all Grecian and all Roman science to the blush :—who could 
meet the aged philosopher and the wily sophist on their own 
ground :—Clemens, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin, Irenzus, Tertul- 
jian, Origen, Cyprian, Eusebius, Athanasius, Basil, Chrysostom, 
Lactantius, Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and a host of martyrs 
and fathers too numerous to mention. 


When learning declined, religion degenerated. When learn- 
ing had vanished, religion was nearly extinct. When letters re- 
vived, religion again flourished and assumed a purer form. 


Who were the first to discover, expose, refute, condemn, and 
demolish the papal errors and the papal tyranny? Who, but the 
men of the largest minds and the greatest learning? Need I name 
Wickliffe, Huss, Jerome of Prague, Luther, Melanchthon, Cal- 
vin, Latimer, Ridley, Cranmer, Knox, and a hundred others, as 
eminent for literature as religion; for integrity and courage as 
for zeal and ardour in the cause of truth; who. nobly dared to. 
stem the torrent which had nearly deluged the christian world, 
and nearly buried in ruins the whole christian fabrick ? 3 


13 


Shall I traee the progress of religion from that bright epoch 
when the Sun of the Reformation first rose above the horizon and 
began to dispel the darkness of a long dismal night which seem- 
ed to threaten an endless duration, goon to Ray present time? 
What is the character of the men who have laboured in the field 
and on the battle-ground with most efficiency and success? Who 
have written books, and thundered in the pulpit, with argument 
and eloquence irresistible and overwhelming? Were they not the 
most acute, best disciplined, most profoundly erudite of the ages 
in which they flourished? Shall I come nearer to your own times 
and to your own doors? Shall Tinvoke the spirits of a Hammond, 
an Owen, a Baxter, a Flavel, a Stillingfleet, a Villotson, an Eliot, 
a Swartz, aJohn, an Edwards, a Davies, a Whitefield, a Horsley, 
a Porteus, a Buchanan, a Witherspoon ?—but the catalogue would 
be endless. 


The history of christianity is a triumphant refutation of the 
heresy and the slander that learning is unnecessary, or that it is 
unfriendly to genuine religion. It exhibits proof most positive 
that without learning nothing has been or could have been effect- 
ed. That zeal Gihoit knowledge leads to fanaticism, to error, 
to superstition, to enthusiasm ;—to abuses and heresies the most 
absurd and abominable. 


On this topick I might indulge in a variety of illustration from 
facts. Icould summon your attention to a thousand mournful 
evidences of the danger of suffering self-sufficient aspiring igno- 
rance to obtrude itself into the direction and government of the 
church. But the limits of a discourse forbid my enlarging. 


Allowing then the necessity of a good education, in conjunction 
with ardent undissembled piety, as a necessary qualification for 
the gospel ministry ; I ask where, or how, is this education to be 
acquired? Do you reply, by resorting to some respectable cler- 
gyman in private? But is not every parochial minister sufficient- 
ly burthened already with the numerous and arduous duties of his 
station ; without superadding the still more difficult and responsi- 
ble office of preparing and training up young men for the holy 
ists ne ? Who has leisure for this task ? Who has the qualifica- 
tions for it ;—I mean, in addition to his pastoral duties? Who has 
the books and all that array of helps with which every active in- 
quisitive youth ought to be abundantly furnished during the Pe- 
riod of his novitiate and apprenticeship? 


But is it necessary, at the present day, to contrast the benefits. 
of a publick with those of a private education? Is not the former 
mode universally adopted for every other purpose :—for the clas- 
pean! science, for Jaw, for medicine, for commerce, and poli- 
ticks 


14 


This question, it is believed, was first agitated and formally 
discussed by Quinctilian when treating on the most suitable dis- 
cipline for accomplishing an orator; and by him decided in fa- 
vour of a publick education. I shall not take up your time in 
stating the arguments usually advanced in behalf of either or 
each of these modes. But only observe, thatif a publick edu- 
eation be judged the most eligible for all the secular profes- 
sions and pursuits of life: which seems to be the case from the 
fact that, in ninety-nine instances out of a hundred, it is pre- 
ferred: I would like to be informed why the student of theolo- 
gy should be an exception to the general rule ;—why he should 
study in private rather than those who are prosecuting other 
studies? Is there more danger that his morals or his piety will 
be corrupted than of theirs? Is he more likely to be seduc- 
ed by bad company than other youth? 


All boys, from infancy to manhood, through the several * grades? 
of schools, academies, and colleges, are educated in publick, 
Every candidate for the ministry has been thus edueated during 
the earlier part of his course, and is generally required to pro- 
duce the testimonials of his having been so, previously to his be- 
ing permitted to enter upon the study of divinity. Shall then 
young men, between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, who 
have gone safely through the ordeal of our publick institutions at 
a tenderer age, while surrounded with vitious companions, and 
beset by a thousand temptations, be thought to be exposed to im- 
minent and extraordinary danger, when, at a maturer and more 
experienced age, they shall attempt to prosecute a course of theo- 
logical study in company with none but the serious and the pious, 
or those reputed to be so? Where is the hazard to morals and re- 
ligion under such circumstances :—in such a place :—engaged in 
such pursuits :—where the teachers are pious :—where the pupils 
are pious :—where every subject of investigation and discussion is 
connected with piety :—where, in a word, every thing tends to 
remind them of duty and to inspire them with devotion? — 


Is religion, let me ask, a selfish, solitary thing? Was it intend- 
ed for the cell or the cloister: the desert or the forest? Where 
must it flourish, if it flourish at all? Where must its active ener- 
gies, its benevolent sympathies, its enlarged views, its purifying 
principles, be exhibited and exerted, if not in the world :—on the 
publick stage of life and business ; and, I may add, of vanity and 
ignorance, of crime and wretchedness? How is a young man to 
be qualified for such a scene? By spending his youth in the vale - 
of retirement ; occupied in lonely study ; in secret devotion; away 
from the solicitations of worldly men and worldly objects ; and then 
suddenly to be ushered into the midst of the world destitute of 
any acquaintance with it? 


15 


Is there any knowledge after all of more importance to a cler- 
gyman than a knowledge of the world :—of men and manners? 


A publick seminary has been justly styled the world in minia- 
ture. Here is usually assembled a variety of characters and dispo- 
sitions: and much may be learned by a constant intercourse with 
them. Qne’s own asperities are worn off by attrition with his com- 
panions. His natural arrogance, pride, vanity, self-sufficiency, 
are curbed, restrained, eradicated ; er, at least, deprived of their 
most prominent and odious features. Here he finds his proper 
level. His talents are elicited and expanded by a generous col- 
lision and emulation with his fellow students. A spirit of bro- 
therly love, charity, liberality, harmony, is cherished and cultiva- 
ted. Acquaintances are formed and friendships cemented which 
will be highly beneficial to the church at large: grateful to the 
parties: and durable as life. A spirit of unity and fraternal af- 
fection will pervade the bosoms, not merely of fellow students tow- 
ards each other, arising from personal acquaintance and actual 
association; but the same spirit will be strongly felt by all the 
pupils of the same institution, at whatever period they may issue 
from it, or wherever they may be located. 


Hence will result a great and permanent good. Hundreds of 
ministers will, in a few years, be established in various parts of 
our country who will see eye to eye: who will harmonize in sen- 
timent : who will understand by orthodoxy the same system of 
doctrine: and therefore be free from the jealousy, suspicion, mis- 
apprehension, and bigotry which now keep asunder so many 
brethren of the same family, and prevent their cordial co-opera- 
tion in the common cause of religion and truth. I therefore hail 
the establishment of the Theological Seminary as a public nurse- 
ry for the church. As affording within its hallowed walls the best 
aids, the greatest facilities, the strongest incentives to industry 
and piety. As calculated most effectually to bring to the test the 
piety, prudence, talents, and attainments of the candidate, before 
he is permitted to appear in publick, to the disgrace, it may be, 
of the cause which he professes to espouse. For it may be safely 
presumed that the young man who shall, in the course of his 
studies in our seminary, appear grossly deficient in any of these 
requisites, is unfit for the saered work and ought not to be suffer- 
ed to engage in it. Here is another advantage of the most im- 
portant kind to be derived from the seminary which the church 
could not expect from any private system whatever:—The ad- 
vantage of judging from a young man’s carriage and deportment, 
from his habits, his social intercourse, his daily conversation, his 
literary and devotional performances, whether he is likely to prove 
useful to the church, and also, in what particular sphere he may 
be most useful. Here his real character will be developed. Those 


16 


latent springs of action, those dominant dispositions which, in pri- 
vate, might long be concealed from his intimate friends, and per- 
haps even from himself, will display themselves in such a manner 

as to prove to his teachers and fellow students, his fitness or un- 
itness for the holy ministry. And I repeat, that there is incom- 
parably less danger of the church’s being deceived with regard 
to her candidates while under a course of publie discipline than 
could exist on any other plan. 


In confirmation of my argument, were it worth while to argue 
the matter any farther, | might summon before you the great 
mass of eminent christian divines who have ever laboured in the 
church,—in the old world and in the new,—for they» are all the 
dead or the living witnesses of the beneficial influence of a publick 
education. In every college and university of Earope there 
has ever been a faculty, or professorships, of theology. And in 
those great schools or rather communities, were trained the mar- 
tyrs and reformers, the pastors and missionaries, whose names will 
be precious in the churches, till time shall be no longer; and who 
will shine as bright stars in the firmament forever and ever. The 
most of those institutions in fact, owe their existence and celebrity 
exclusively to the clergy: and theology was once the primary ob- 
. ject of study in them. Our own college* too was established on 
the same plan and with the same great end principally in view. 
It was the church of Christ that its pious founders mainly looked 
to when they invoked the God of Heaven to second their feeble 
efforts in its behalf, and to preside over its destinies. It too has 
had its professors of theology ; and the American church will long 
acknowledge her obligations to their labours and to the labours of 
their pupils. But now this sacred department is transferred for- 
ever to the sister seminary, and the whole Presbyterian Church in 
our land is solemnly pledged to support it. 

I cannot however dismiss this topick without a word or two more 
in reply to the common-place objection which is so often advanced 

against the seminary. It is whispered in every corner, and by 
a ipadced tongues, whenever the seminary is pointed at or spo- 
ken of, that it is a dangerous innovation ;—a piece of extrava- 
gance :—that the edifice is quite too large, too expensive, too ele- 
gant; better calculated to make mere scholars and fine gentlemen 
than hardy soldiers of the cross. Then it is usually added, that 
a more secluded, private, frugal course of instruction and of liv- 
ing, would be much more likely to foster a spirit of humility and 
aesiane ; of meekness, patience, temperance and devotion ; of en- 
lightened views on religious subjects, and of all those peculiar 
graces and qualifications, without which, the greatest attainments 


* The College of New-Jersey. 


~~ 


i7 


in literature are useless or detrimental. Or, in plainer terms, 
that it would be much better for a young man who wishes to be- 
ome a minister of the gospel, to go to some worthy, retired pas- 
tor in the country: assist him in teaching his school or ploughing 
his fields, and receive from him in return such aid in reading 
Hopkins or Ridgley, as the good man may find leisure or incli- 
nation to afford him. 


In making this homely statement, I wish to be distinctly un- 
derstood as not intending the slightest disrespect to any class, or 
any individuals of the clergy.—But merely to give you the plain 
english of the objection; or rather of the substitute which some of 
our wise men propose and laud as preferable to any theological 
college. 


Their whole scheme however, I hesitate not to denounce as un- 
supported by reason or by fact; as alike illiberal and absurd. I 
maintain fearlessly, though not obstinately or fiercely, that the le- 
gitimate tendency of all private education, and especially of a 
system so contracted as the one just supposed, is, to cherish pride ; 
to confirm prejudice; to restrain a spirit of liberal inquiry; to 
contract the mind; to concentrate its views to a few objects; to 
lead it into a narrow, partial track ; to mould. it into the shape 
and tinge it with the complexionof the master. I do not say that 
these effects will always result; for a naturally vigorous, inde- 
pendent spirit will break the strongest fetters and rise superior to 
any disadvantages; but that such a system is calculated to pro- 
duce them, and most frequently does produce them. Hence you 
will generally find a young man thus brought up, thinking on all 
subjects, on which he thinks at all, just as he has been taught to 
think. His master’s dogmas and peculiarities become his 
own. He is perfectly satisfied with his attainments, because they 
are as extensive as those of his venerated instructor, who is at 
once his model and the standard by which he measures theologi- 
cal wisdom and orthodoxy. He has never been brought into con- 
tact with his equals. His strength has never been put to the 
trial, and hence he flatters himself that none are his superiors. 
‘With a little smattering of letters and with abundant self-com- 
placency, he marches forth as a candidate among the vacant 
churches, speedily procures a charge, settles down among a peo- 
ple not calculated perhaps by their own superior intelligence to 
give him any hint that he is not a perfect Solomon : and thus he con- 
tinnes through life the same opinionated, self-important, dogmati- 
eal, bigoted creature, that he was at the beginning. Study is dis- 
pensed with, either because he has never learned how to study 
and acquired a taste for it, or because he imagines he knows 
enough already. Hence as he grows in years, he grows in 


C 


18 


dulness : affects to despise learning, and most conscientiously op- 
poses every liberal plan for its advancement. This may be a 
earicature, but it is a good likeness notwithstanding. And I 
doubt not that some of my hearers have seen more than one who 
has sat for the picture. a 


All such men of course will be hostile to the seminary. And 
one secret motive of their hostility which I have not yet stated ; 
which they certainly never avow, and which they will not thank 
me for exposing, is jealousy! They are jealous of this new mode 
of making ministers. They are afraid of being eclipsed by their 
juniors who shall come forth from this institution well furnished 
for their master’s service. They imagine that themselves must 
sink in proportion as others rise. And rather than be subject to 
this mortification, they labour to prevent the growth of an evil 
which they so much dread. There is a great deal of real oppo- 
sition from this vile source, whether men are conscious of it or not. 


But leaving these narrow-minded, jealous preachers of right- 
eousness and charity to the quiet enjoyment of all the delights 
which the contemplation of their own plans and ideas must neees- 
sarily yield them :—I pass, in the second place, to other hostile 
bands ; and to the consideration of other and more specious objec- 
tions which are openly and boldly advanced against this school of 
the prophets. 


2. One grand objection which a few respectable clergymen, 
and which the great mass of influential laymen urge, is, that the 
Theological Seminary is calculated to cherish a spirit of ambition 
and worldly grandeur. That it will eventually become an en- 
gine of political power and ascendency. That it will impart too 
much weight and influence and consideration to the clergy. That 
they may in time prove dangerous enemies to the liberties of the 
state. That they ought therefore to be narrowly watched and 
strictly guarded. 


There is something very plausible in all this. And the argu- 
ment seems to derive countenance from history. I admit that 
the clergy, in former ages, have possessed, and, in some coun- 
tries, at the present day, do possess, powers wholly incompatible _ 
with the safety and well-being of their fellow citizens. That 
they form an imperium in imperio extremely dangerous to the na- 
tural and political rights of mankind. And this I am as bold in 
condemning as any other man can be. I am ready also without 
partiality, or affection, or reserve, to censure and to oppose every 
project or institution which has a natural tendeney to produce such 
a state ofthings. A clerical hierarchy or priestly despotism shall 
never find an advocate or apologist in me. Did I believe that the 


19 


Theological Seminary of our church could ever be perverted to 
the effecting of so unworthy a revolution in our ecclesiastical and 
political institutions; my voice should this day have been heard 
in its reprobation with the same honest freedom with which it is 
now feebly raised in its behalf. Iam not swayed by party, or 
sect, or interest, or prefession in this matter. I address you as 
an American citizen who wishes equal privileges to all descrip- 
tions of his fellow citizens, without distinction of sect, or name, or 
eharacter, or pursuit. I address you as a calm spectator of pass- 
ing events: an unprejudiced observer of the state and progress of 
the seminary from its origin to this moment, without the slightest 
motive to conceal, warp, or disguise any matter respecting it. It 
is true, I address you as a minister of the everlasting gospel who 
devoutly prays that the benevolent religion of Jesus may more 
and more prevail, till every nation, and kindred, and people under 
heaven shall feel its power and obey its precepts: but without one 
particle of clannish or professional partiality. Were I a lawyer 
or a farmer, possessed of the same knowledge of facts, and con- 
vineed of the truth and importance of the christian system, I 
would avow the same opinions which I now utter. With this ex- 
plicit declaration of my sentiments, it cannot be supposed that any 
sinister motives haye biassed me in this concern. 


Let us then candidly examine this mighty bulwark of the op- 
position :—this grand colossal argument :—this never-failing source 
of declamation and abuse :—this popular clamour so extensively 
raised against our school. 


The only reason why the clergy once had any political ascen- 
dency, was, because religion was established by law. 


But the constitution, laws, government and usages of our coun- 
try give no preference to one system, sect, or creed over another. 
All religious denominations are equally protected by the law. 
While the law itself knows no religion. It reeognises no citi- 
zens.in a religious character. It matters not whether they be 
Jews, or Mohammedans, or Pagans, or Christians. 


To what danger, do you think, the establishment of a seminary 
for the education of Jewish priests or rabbies, would expose the 
civil liberties of the people ? Or what would be the danger if this 
were done by the baptists, methodists, episcopalians, congrega- 
tionalists, or any other denomination of christians? Why then are 
the presbyterians so specially to be dreaded? Have you not 
found that a bishop,* who, in Europe is a powerful and wealthy 
lord, becomes in this country, a very quiet, and, except in spirit- 


* A diocesan of course. 


20 


ual matters, a very unimportant character? In the state, he is as 
harmless, as powerless, as much a cypher, as the poorest itinerant 
exhorter in our country. Ifsuch be the fact in regard to epis- 
copacy, which, in every country but our own, has been ineorpo- 
rated with the civil government and shared the temporal domin- 
ion with nobles and princes ; what have we to dread from pres- 
byterianism which is a pure democracy? A system of union and’ 
€o-operation which has for its basis a perfect parity among the 
clergy: so that it is not possible for one ever to rise in rank 
above another? It has no tendency to aristocracy, much less to 
monarchy or despotism. How such men should ever dream of 
acquiring political power and consequence, I cannot conceive. 
To succeed in such a plan, it would be necessary to revolutionize 
the whole nation: to overturn the government: to destroy the 
constitution. Or, in other words, we must suppose a total change 
in public sentiment: we must suppose a vast majority of our citi- 
zens to have become zealous presbyterians, and blindly devoted 
to a set of ambitious, unprincipled presbyters: we must suppose 
the people to have become, not merely the passive subjects, but 
the active agents, in this work of their own subjugation. We 
must, in short, suppose a hundred other impossibilities in order 
to prepare the way for this dreaded monster to show his strength, 
or to make the slightest impression on our political establishments. 


The fears which men profess to entertain on this subject, so 
far as there is any reality in them, are occasioned by the spectres 
and ghosts which the records of past enormities have conjured up 
in the imaginations of those who do not consider that the like 
enormities could not possibly exist in this country. It would be a 
thousand to one a more likely event that, within a given period, 
a Nero should sit quietly on an imperial throne erected on the 
ruins of the republick, than that any ecclesiastical body what- 
ever should control the councils of the nation, or be incorporated 
with the popular authorities. I entertain no such apprehension. 


So thoroughly guarded on this subject are the constitutions of 
some of the states, as to render the clergy ineligible to secular of- 
fices of any kind.* In such states the clergy might justly com-. 
plain of being denied the common privileges of the meanest citi- 
zens :—of having a mark set upon them as a dangerous body :— 


* The 39th article of the constitution of the state of New-York as establish= 
ed by the convention in 1777, is as follows, viz. 

«© And whereas the ministers of the gospel are, by their profession, dedica- 
ted to the service of God and the cure of souls, and ought not to be diverted 
from the great duties of their functions; therefore no minister of the gospel, 
or priest of any denomination whatsoever, shall, at any time hereafter, under 
any pretence or description whatever, be eligible to, or capable of holding 
any civil or military office or place, within this state.” !!! eee 


QL 


of being, in a measure, disfranchised :—of losing by reason of their 
profession the dearest right of free citizens, and which no others 
forfeit except by the grossest crimes. ‘This is indeed a hardship 5; 
and an unparalleled anomaly in a free government. 


In other states, the practice and usage of the people have as 
effectually excluded from civil office the ministers of the gospel as 
if they were naturally or legally disqualified. Whether this has 
arisen from an illiberal jealousy of the clergy, or from the mode- 
ration and self-denial of the clergy themselves; I shall not stop to 
inquire. Ido not wish the fact to be otherwise. The clergy 
ought not in general to have any thing to do with political affairs. 
It would be incompatible with their sacred functions to suffer 
themselves to be elected to civil offices. 


But while I would condemn the clergy, on the one hand, were 
they to manifest a disposition unduly to seek after political distine- 
tions: I would as earnestly contend, on the other, for their rights 
in common with every other description of citizens; and condemn 
as anti-republican the narrow policy which would formally, and 
by statute or prescription, deprive them of any natural or conyen- 
tional prerogative. 


Let all men be treated alike. Let them stand, or rise and fall 
according to their deserts. Let the ministers of the gospel hold, 
in the eye of the law, the same place which is held by lawyers, 
physicians, merchants, farmers, and mechanics :—and no other, 
better or worse. ‘Then will there be no ground for jealousy or 
complaint ; and no danger to the community from the ambition or 
artifice of any. 


Apply these principles to the case in question. Has not every 
class of citizens a right to provide for the welfare and education 
of its own members, provided they do not interfere with the inter- 
est or comfort of any other class? Have we not in fact public 
schools and colleges of law ; of medicine ; of the arts ; and of litera- 
ture? And why should there not be schools of divinity? In this 
land of enlightened freedom and equal rights, who will say that 
the clergy may not make suitable provision for the reputable in- 
struction of those destined to be attached to their own body and to 
become their successors in office? May not every sect and de- 
nomination do this? Even onthe ground that they have their own 
interest mainly in view, they would be doing no more than all 
other men do. The pursuit of happiness, the acquisition and en- 
joyment of property, of honour and science, are guaranteed to all 
without distinction. And what tribunal has authority here to pro- 
nounce that the clergy alone shall be cut off from these pursuits 
and enjoyments ? So much for the right, as men and citizens. 


22 


Now let us advance a step higher. Are the clergy then uses 
less members of the community? I mean useless in a worldly and 
political sense. In order to answer this question, I might demand 
your answer to some other questions. Is morality useless to the 
community ? Are good order, steady habits, temperance, chastity, 
good faith, honesty, kindness, integrity, benevolence, justice, obe- 
dience to parents and rulers, patience, forbearance :—are these 
useless ingredients in the body politick ? Is learning useless? Are 
science and literature unfriendly to liberty and to happiness: or 
to the progress and prosperity of agriculture, commerce and 
manufactures? No; these are all good,—all necessary. Without 
them, vice, corruption, misery, barbarism, anarchy, confusion, ty- 
ranny and usurpation, individual and national debasement and ru- 
in, must speedily ensue. 


Well now,—who contribute most to the maintenance and diffu- 
sion of virtuous principles, of pure morals, and sound learning in 
our land and throughout the world? Our enemies and accusers 
themselves being the judges, are constrained to acknowledge, that 
for these things mankind are indebted chiefly to the clergy. This 
is a tribute of respect : a proof of worth and usefulness which 
nothing but the most stubborn invincible facts could ever have ex~- 
torted. This is the eulogy of an unconquered and ungenerous 
foe ! 


Here then,—on this proud eminence I might rest: and calmly 
bid envy and malice, calumny and slander do their worst. For 
vain is their assault. Impotent their efforts to tarnish, or to pluck 
from the brow of the well-tried veteran, the wreath of honour, 
which the wise and the good have decreed him; and which even 
the wicked cannot at all times withhold. 


Human governments could do nothing; the sanetions of law 
would be a dead letter, were there no laborious teachers to inform. 
the ignorant, to check the natural progress of vice, and to train 
up the young in virtue’s ways. Banish the ministers of peace, 
-and this instruction is at an end. 


Every true patriot therefore, every enlightened honest citizen, 
every prudent magistrate, nay, every man ‘who loves his own wel- 
fare, must find it ‘the common interest of all to countenance and 
uphold this necessary appendage to the state: this main pillar 
of the civil establishments: this depositary of the learning 
of ages: this source of instruction to the people: this copious 
fountain which affords such rich supplies to a nation’s most essen- 
tial wants. 


But we ascend higher still, and take loftier and more command- 
ing ground. Be it known to you then, that, the honest clergy de 


28 


vot consult their own worldly aggrandizement: nor do they main- 
ly aim at rendering their fellow men more amiable, useful, and 
happy in this life merely. They have a nobler object in view. It 
is the eternal well-being ofman. Their office is the appointment of 
heaven. They are intrusted with the Lord’s work and command- 
ed to perform it. And you are commanded to respect their sa- 
cred office ; to listen to their instructions and counsels: to obey 
their precepts, so far as they are the precepts of God’s word: to 
afford them all necessary support: and to be liberal of your 
wealth in whatever ways pure religion may be best promoted. 


However numerous and cogent may be their claims on the grati- 
tude of mankind as their temporal benefactors, they prefer infi- 
nitely higher and stronger claims to the gratitude, confidence, 
aud love of men as their spiritual guides and benefactors. I need 
not stay to inform you what is the legitimate province of the 
preacher. That it is the immortal spirit of guilty, miserable man 
which he seeks to purify and to prepare for the mansions of the 
blessed. That while he spares no pains to smooth the rugged 
path of life: the pilgrim’s journey through this vale of wo: he 
steadily contemplates a peaceful haven beyond this fleeting, joy- 
less, tempestuous scene. He points to the heavenly country, and 
kindly shows the lost traveller the road that leads thither. 


Commissioned by his divine master to proclaim glad tidings of 
peace to the perishing: he labours to fulfil the object of his em- 
bassy with a zeal, a patience, a perseverance, which no earthly 
considerations could inspire: and which no earthly discourage- 
ments or difficulties can damp or destroy. 


Is he an enthusiast ; is he an impostor? There may be enthu- 
siasts; there may be hypocrites; there may be wolves in sheep’s 
clothing invested with this sacred character. But what then? 
Does this fact afford any sound argument against the sincerity and 
good faith of the whole body of christian ministers? What good 
thingis there in the universe which has not been abused and 
counterfeited ? What wise and benevolent institution has ever ex- 
isted free from contamination and perversion? Strange, indeed 
would it be, if religion: if the christian religion: and the minis- 
ters of this religion, did not oceasionally share the corruption, de- 
generacy, and abuse which are inseparable from all things here 
below. There is no form of virtue, no disguise of religion which 
has not been assumed as a convenient mask for the worst of 
crimes. And this fact operates with no less force to the disad- 
vantage of natural religion ; of natural or political virtue ; of hu- 
man learning and wisdom; and of every thing which the world 
ealls great and good ; than it does to the disparagement of chris- 
tianity and its advocates. This species of argument therefore has 


24 


no application to the case. Or, if it have, it would equally de- 
molish the’ systems of the sage and the moralist: of the believer 
and the infidel. It would leave us nothing but one vast wild of 
hideous ruin and deformity: of hopeless misery and wickedness. 
Beware then of this subtle, insinuating, exterminating logick. It 
is unsound and illiberal. And none but the enemies of truth and 
piety can employ it. 


Christianity is the only system of religion at present known in 
the world which can lay just claims to a heavenly origin. If it be 
true, its own infallible oracles declare the appointment, and the 
necessity of continuing forever, a ministry in the church. And 
how can this ministry be perpetuated except by the regular edu- 
cation of a competent number of young men to supply the places 
of those vacated by age, infirmity, and death: and to meet the 
growing demands of an enlarged and daily increasing church? 
What mode of education can be devised better adapted to meet 
these wants, than publick seminaries exclusively devoted to this 
object under the special superintendence and control of the 
ehurch itself? I propose this question with perfect confidence that 
a negative reply cannot be made to it; and will not be made to it, 
by the wise, the judicious, and the pious. 


The exigency of the case suggests this as the only natural and 
efficient method of furnishing an adequate supply of faithful and 
enlightened pastors and missionaries for the vast evangelized and 
unevangelized regions of this almost boundless continent: whose 
population is annually augmenting in a ratio which confounds all 
computation: whose spiritual wants of course are multiplying 
with equal rapidity: and to a degree, which almost overwhelms 
with discouragement the pious philanthropist while contemplating 
this great moral wilderness which is scarcely illumined by a 
ray of gospel light. Surely it is time for the friends of religion 
and humanity to awake from their slumbers, and to put forth all 
their strength in one grand effort to meliorate the condition of the 
countless thousands of our own countrymen who are literally per- 
ishing for lack of knowledge: yes, at this moment destitute of the 
ordinary means of grace ;—without bibles and without ministers. 


Iam not in possession of the requisite data by which to estimate 
the exact number of our unfortunate fellow citizens who are thus 
situated. But I think it may be safely affirmed that at least one 
third, if not one half of the population of this republick do not en- 
joy the regular services of stated pastors; and hardly the ocea- 
sional labours of the passing missionary. This statement will 
probably not appear exaggerated to those who will take the trou- 
ble to examine into the actual condition of our Jarge cities in these 
older and more highly favoured states: as well as, of many sec- 


25 


tions of the country which have been supposed for several gene- 
rations to enjoy all the benefits of the gospel in the greatest pro- 
fusion. It will be found that there is much missionary ground 
within sight of our most splendid churches, and perhaps under the 
shadow of their spires.—That there is missionary ground in eve- 
ry county and town even of this enlightened and gospelized sec- 
tion of our confederacy. What then may be presumed to be the 
fact in these states whose very existence is but of yesterday, but 
whose population already far outstrips many of the larger parent 
states? We are not however left to mere conjecture on this sub- 
ject. The amplest evidence is before the publick and within eve- 
ry man’s reach, of the alarming truth that our brothers, and 
kinsmen, and friends, as well as the néwly arrived European, the 
Negro, and the Indian, are living and training up children where 
the sound of the gospel trumpet has never yet been heard. Is not 
this a pressing call on our benevolence: a call which ought not 
to be heard for one moment in vain? 


What a host of ministers is needed at once to occupy this wide 
waste ? Who can tell the number that would suffice? Greater cer- 
tainly than we can hope soon to furnish. Could our seminary 
send forth a hundred heralds of the cross annually, they would be 
lost in the crowd; orso dispersed over an immense surface as 
searcely, in appearance at least, to diminish the want. But in- 
stead ofa hundred, we cannot reasonably calculate on more than a 
fifth or even a tenth of that number. And is there aman so blind, 
so ignorant, so prejudiced, so uncharitable as deliberately to main- 
tain that this number is larger than is necessary? That there is 
danger that the clergy will speedily become so numerous as to be 
burthensome to the community :—either as drones and mendi- 
cants,—or as wealthy lords and prelates? Alas, how fertile are 
men in contriving excuses for avarice, and salvos for conscience! 


This is an age in which christians are not allawed to be luke- 
warm or neutral. They must be hot or cold: for God or against 
him. The enemies of Christ have marshalled all their forces and 
issued forth in phalanx strong tothe battle. Shall we boldly in the 
name of Immanuel go out to meet them, or tamely sit down in our 
places, and carelessly leave the event to Providence, as if we had 
no interest at stake: no part or lot in the matter? What have we 
done, brethren: what are we how doing? Have we done as 
much as we could do to promote the cause of religion in the world? 
Have we contributed as much of our worldly substance as we could 
have contributed and as we ought to have contributed to this glo- 
rious object? 


I tell you, the fact, that the Theological Seminary of the Pres- 
byterian church has been, for seven years, a beggar before the 


26 


publick: a solicitor of alms from one end of the continent to the 
other: that it is a beggar still, without the means of completing 
an edifice, which, when completed, will not accommodate a hun- 
dred students :* and without the means of permanently supporting 
a single professor: is melancholy, humbling proof that our coun- 
trymen are backward in giving to the Lord’s treasury. It is 
proof that we, in the immediate vicinity of this seminary, are pe- 
culiarly negligent and culpable. For I scruple not to affirm that 
there is wealth enough among the presbyterians of New-Jersey to 
have defrayed the whole expense of establishing and endowing the 
institution, without sensibly diminishing the revenues or the com- 
forts of our citizens generally. And I think it was from the be- 
gining, and still is, peculiarly incumbent on this state to extend a 
munificent hand to this great work. Because this state will de- 
rive allthe pecuniary advantages which such an establishment 
never fails to yield to any place where it exists. Besides, the re- 
putation which it adds to our little community, the facilities for 
theological education which it affords our pious youth, and the 
choice of pastors with which it favours our churches, ought to be 
taken into the account. 


But on the presbytery of New-Brunswick, within whose bounds 
it is located, and under whose jurisdiction its professors will ever 
remain, is surely imposed an extraordinary obligation to spare no 
pains for its welfare. Have we discharged our duty, brethren? 
Has every clergyman bestowed his own mite, and exerted his in- 
fluence with his flock and with the publick in this behalf? It is 
not from a particular knowledge of the part which has been acted 
in this matter by any individual that I venture on these inquiries. 
You may have all done your duty faithfully and honestly for aught 
Iknow. But there is fault somewhere: or the Directors long 
ago would have been obliged to announce to the people that their 
treasury was already full to overflowing and to charge them to 
bring no more gifts for the sanctuary, as was done by Moses on a 
similar occasion. 


It is possible that a portion of this blame may justly attach to 
ourselves. Is there then a rich clergyman belonging to this body 
who has not given according to his abundance? Is there one pos- 
sessed of thousands, who has not bestowed, at least hundreds, on 
the school of the prophets? Is there an individual who has kept 
back altogether, and refused even to speak to his people in its fa- 
your: who, so far from taking an active part for it, has taken a 
decided stand against it? If there be such an individual, let me 

‘ask him why he has done so? Has he been influenced by any of 
_the motives already suggested as sometimes operating on the minds 


* Not more than a hundred’;—the speaker should Aare said. 


QT 


of the clergy to the detriment of the seminary ? ‘Or, is, it the 
gall of disappointed ambition which rankles in his bosom? Isit 
because he has not been selected to fill some honourable station in 
the new institution that he thus coldly overlooks, or insidiously 
thwarts its interests? Now, since we have examples of men in 
every period of the christian church, who were actuated by a spi- 
rit as base as this; it will not perhaps be thought a breach of 
charity barely to suggest the possibility of its existence at pres- 
ent; and to ascribe to it a small portion of the opposition with 
which our church is infected. 


For it must be admitted after all, even by the professed apolo- 
gist for the clergy, that there are some selfish, intriguing, ambi- 
tious divines in the church, who care for nothing but their own 
temporal advancement. Who would fight for the seminary if they 
supposed their own interest would be promoted by it, and who 
would fight against it for the same reason.—Men, who, under the 
guise of religion, of honour, and friendship, can betray, and slan- 
der, and lie ; in order to compass a favourite project, or to elevate 
themselves or their partisans to posts of honour and profit. I tell 
you, there are such men; such ministers of the gospel! But with 
these base creatures I have no fellowship. I never expect to 
meet them in heaven :—unless indeed'a Judas may repent, or a 
Simon Magus be purified :—and I wish to have as little to - 
with them on earth as possible.* 


Let them take their course.—They are obliged to preach cor- 
rectly ; and ostensibly at least to defend, inculcate and practi¢e the 
religion of Christ. Isay they: are obliged to do this, through fear 
of the censure and discipline of the church judicatories under 
which they minister. And here is our peculiar and strong safe- 
guard. It is not because the clergy are not liable to corruption, 
and not prone to seek after riches, and honours, and power ;—that I 
assert the establishment of the seminary will not be dangerous in 
these respects. But because of the singular excellence of both our 
ecclesiastical and political institutions which renderthe eventual 
usurpation or acquisition of political power physically impossible. 


‘Therefore, be not alarmed by the admission which truth has’ 
constrained me to make in regard to some of my brethren. But 
for your comfort, remember that the moment any minister begins’ 
to depart from the faith and to teach strange doctrine ; that mo- 
ment he. will be called to an account : and if his error be found to 
be radical, and if he persist in holding it; he will inevitably be 
suspended or deposed from the sacred office. Again, if his con- 
duct be openly immoral and unchristian, he ae be dealt with at- 


‘y b| 
* Qui capit ille facit.”. ; 


28 


cording to the nature of the offence, So that all the clergy of our 
denomination must either be honest, pious, consistent men; or 
they must be consummate hypocrites. No increase of their num- 
bers can alter the nature of these facts, Doubly guarded there- 
fore is our church :—and no better or stronger guarantee can you 
have that your money will be honestly appropriated to the ob- 
jects intended, and successfully deyoted to the cause of religion, 
than you have in this instance. And I venture to assure you 
that there is no way in which you can bestow your super- 
fluous wealth; or contribute a portion of the hard earnings of in- 
dustry and frugality with half the prospect of doing extensive 
and permanent good. It is not one minister for whose benefit you 
are urged to give. But consider what immense good a single 
faithful minister may effect in an ordinary life time. Look among 
our congregations which have enjoyed the labours of worthy pas- 
tors fora number of years, Select one for your examination. 
Count up the number of those who have been brought into the 
fold of Christ since their pastor was first installed over them :— 
the number who have adorned religion by a consistent walk and 
conversation ; and who have died in the faith, blessing God for 
the labours, warnings, instructions, and prayers of their beloved 
minister. See the order, morality, and intelligence whieh every 
where meet the eye; and form a striking contrast between this 
and a neighbouring congregation which has, for a length of years, 
been destitute of a pastor, or cursed with an unfaithful one. 


Suppose further, that instead of a settled pastor, he should preye 
a zealous missionary to the heathen, like Brainerd :—or to the 
world, like Whitefield.— Would you think your money misapplied 
which had contributed to his education, and been instrumental in 
thrusting him into the Lord’s vineyard ? 


But here you are favoured with the high privilege of lending to 
the Lord your money, not for the support of one candidate for the 
holy office ; but for a whole college. Not for a limited term of 
years ; but for a permanent fountain, whence, we trust, streams 
will continue to flow to gladden the city of our God ; to make the 
desert and the wilderness to bud and blossom as the rose, until the 
church militant shall be merged in the church triumphant; and 
the whole company of the Lord’s redeemed be safely landed in 
the heavenly Canaan. 


To be allowed to lend a helping hand to this glorious work, I 
tell you, is a privilege for which future generations will almost 
envy, while they bless, the charitable few of the present day, 
who have honestly given their offering, or who may yet give it 
to this object. 


29 


Shall it be told, an hundred years hence, in the annals of the 
American Church, that, at this flourishing period of the Repub- 
lick, forty years after the achievement of our independence :—af- 
ter having expended millions of money on the publick edifices of 
our Metropolis :—after having lavished millions on schools, acade- 
mies, colleges, roads, bridges, canals, forts, ships, armories, 
arsenals, manufactories, warehouses, and a thousand other objects 
of a public or of a private character :—that an attempt was made 
by that very numerous and wealthy denomination of christians, 
the Presbyterians ; under the most solemn sanctions of their most 
august ecclesiastical judicatory, to establish a seminary for the 
education of pious youth for the gospel ministry :—that the work 
was actually begun and carried to a certain extent, under the full 
belief, that the piety, zeal and wealth of so large and respecta- 
ble a body as that to which the appeal was made, would never 
suffer the pecuniary means to be wanting for its completion :—but 
that nevertheless, after many painful and long continued struggles 
for some ten or twenty years, it scarcely obtained so firm a foot- 
ing as to ensure the hope of its permanent stability ? 


And shall all the little illiberal reasons which are now assign- 
ed :—all the paltry motives which now sway the mind of its ad- 
versaries, appear on the faithful page of story to the disgrace of 
the church, whose ministers, in that ever memorable crisis which 
tried men’s souls, boldly stood forth the determined champi- 
ons of independence? For it ought never to be forgotten by those 
who asperse their political integrity, that the presbyterian clergy 
were pre-eminently devoted to the popular principles of seventy 
six. Although they are sometimes pointed at now as the dange- 
rous foes of that very system of equal liberty which themselves 
or predecessors laboured to establish :—and on this ground the 
people are cautioned to guard against their arts and intrigues, 
and especially against their growing numbers and influence.— 
Yet let the honest historian tell that among the original founders 
of the seminary, was, not only the advocate, but the seldicr of 
the revolution; who, after bearing arms in his country’s cause, 
enlisted under the banners of the cross: and after spending the. 
vigour of manhood and much of the wisdom of age in the service 
of the great captain of salvation ; proposed to his fellow patriots, 
to his younger brethren, and to his country ; the establishment of 
an institution whose benefits should be commensurate with the 
wants and as duvable as the existenee of the church.—And that 
this was the enlightened plan which provoked the opposition and 
the jealousy of so large a portion of the community? shall such be 
the representation which candour must convey to future ages? 
Forbid it decency :—forbid it the honour. of ny country :—for- 
bid it the spirit of the presbyterian church :—forbid it, great 


30 


King of Zion, who turnest the hearts of the children of menaz 
the rivers of waters are turned; who canst bring light out of 
darkness, and make the most untoward events work together 
for the prosperity of the gospel of peace! 


In thy hands do we humbly leave our infant school: and to 
thy smiles, patronage, and benediction, do we devoutly and confi- 
dently commend it.* 


I feel much on this subject ; and lament that I have so recently 
turned my thoughts to it with any reference to the present occa- 
sion, as not to have been able to do justice to my own views and 
wishes.—For it would not have been, under any advantages, 
within the scope of my poor ability, to do justice to the impor- 
tance and grandeur of the subject. I must beg my audience 
therefore not to impute to the weakness of the cause, the weak- 
ness of the arguments by which it has been attempted to main- 
tain it. The cause I am confident is a good one. It has, and I 
trust will ever have, the ablest advocates. 


To you, respected fathers and beloved brothers in the holy 
ministry, now convened to consult the welfare of the church with- 
in our presbyterial bounds, I most earnestly recommend the 
nurture and tender rearing of this plant of the Lord’s planting, 
Never lose sight of it. Let it be the subject of your most fer- 
vent prayers and intercessions. Be its warm, undisguised advo- 
eates wherever you go. ‘Throw all your influence into the scale 
in its favour. Let your people know that you are its decided, 
zealous friends. Put it into the hearts of the benevolent and the 
wealthy to give liberally of their substance whenever an occa- 
sion offers. And you will yourselves be astonished at the result 
of afew years patient, prudent, well-timed vigorous efforts in 
this infinitely momentous concern. 


There is now a grand movement in the camp of Israel. Arise, 
and come forth to the help of the Lord against the mighty. 


Behold the progress of heresy and infidelity under the disguise 
of rational christianity. See the artifice of the great destroyer 
in these latter days. He has commissioned his emissaries to as- 
sume the garb and the functions of the ministers of the gospel, 
that they may the more effectually sap the foundation of the 
whole christian edifice. He has enlisted talents, and learning, 
and indefatigable enterprise in this work of desolation. He has 
taught the deistical scoffer at revelation to step a little aside from 
his accustomed track ; and to come forward in a new shape, but 


* Here, from a fear of trespassing too far on the patience of his auditory, 
the speaker felt himself constrained to conclude. What follows however, 
formed a part of the original manuscript and was intended to be delivered, 
It is therefore added without apology. 


$i 


with the same malignant hostility against the truth. He is now 
willing to be esteemed a catholick liberal christian. But he re- 
jects the essential divinity of the Saviour ; the depravity of human 
nature ; the doctrine of the atonement, and of justification by 
faith.—Or, he is a christian without holding one principle of the 
christian religion which can distinguish it from the religion of na- 
ture. Modern unitarianism, which is every where insinuating 
itself into the hearts of men naturally predisposed to its reception, 
because it is exactly suited to the natural character of men, is 
more to be dreaded than any species of infidelity ever yet avow- 
ed. It is a deadly enemy wearing the mask and the name of a 
friend. 


To be able to meet such an enemy on equal ground, requires 
much care and preparation. Many of the teachers of this here- 
sy are thoroughly skilled in scholastick theology, logick, and 
metaphysicks :—in history, antiquities, philology, and modern sci- 
ence :—well versed in the ancient languages :—bold and subtle 
biblical criticks :—prepared to take advantage of an imprudent or 
incautious adversary :—and thus to triumph over truth itself in the 
eyes of superficial observers when their sophistry seems to get 
the victory over its unskilful defender. Such wily disputants 
may now be met with in almost every section of our country. 
We must send into the field men sufficiently learned and dis- 
ciplined fairly to encounter them. A good, honest, well-mean- 
ing, but superficially taught person will not do. Such a man 
had better not put his strength or rather his weakness to the 
test on any such occasion. He may be useful in his place. But 
we must have men who are qualified to maintain the truth against 
every gainsayer.—Who can defend the faith once delivered to 
the saints against the most powerful assailants. Now ministers 
thus qualified are not to be met with every day. They are 
not the production of chance. They do not grow into exist- 
ence aS a mere matter of course. And it is possible that, at 
the present time, the number would not be found to be very 
great of those who could successfully or reputably contend with 
the leading socinians in our country. This is mortifying.—But 
the evil admits of a remedy. Although the orthodox churches 
generally have been negligent, culpably negligent, in regard te 
the education of young ministers; so much so as to give ad- 
vantage to our more wary adversaries: yet we may retrace our 
steps, or rather commence anew, and do our future work better. 


’ Foster then this precious seminary, whence we may speedily 
hope to see issue multitudes of ardent, vigorous, able, well-fur- 
nished youth, who shall have no reason to dread the face of 
any foe however fierce or crafty. 


32 


So much has recently been done for the propagation of the gos- 
pel at home and abroad, that men seem to be satisfied, and satia- 
ted, if I may so express it, with theirown exertions. They seem 
to imagine that the victory is already gained. That the religion 
of Jesus is so rapidly extending its influence, as to promise the 
preety commencement of the millennial glory and universal reign 
of the Prince of peace. But while we would not despise the day 
of small things, nor damp the ardour of those actively engaged in 
the great work ; we are constrained to acknowledge that our own 
prospect, from a sober examination of facts, is not quite so cheer- 
- Ing, nor our hopes so sanguine. 


The world is yet, in a great measure, to be christianized. Vast- 
ly the larger part of it is still in the hands of the enemy. Almost 
the whole of Asia and Africa, including the islands of the Indian 
and Southern oceans, with very large portions of Europe and 
America, are still Pagan or Mohammedan. And even those coun- 
tries which are denominated christian, present a picture of igno- 
Fance, superstition, and vice, which must cause the real christian’s 
heart to bleed at the view of it. Italy, France, Spain, Portugal ; 
with a full moiety of the rest of Europe :—all South, with exten- 
sive provinces in .Vorth America, though styled christian, exhibit 
probably very few and very feeble evidences of the influence of 
genuine christianity. ‘These are yet to be converted to the faith. 


But even in those countries, where the truth (it is supposed) 
has been better understood and more extensively obeyed; as in 
Great-Britain, Holland, Switzerland, and the United States of 
America 3; how few real christians in any age, or in any district 
at this moment, could be numbered? How small the company of 
the truly pious could be discovered for instance in London, Edin- 
burgh, Geneva, Philadelphia, or New-York :—small, I mean, 
eompared with the whole population of those cities? How small 
the number in this state; in this county ; in this town; in this 
congregation ? 


Verily, this is not a time for luakewarmness and inaction. Never 
was a louder call addressed to the sympathy and the courage of 
the christian soldier :—never was a juster and more pressing de- 
mand made on the liberality of the rich and the pious. 


T hail this as a new era in the progress of the American Pres- 
byterian Church. I hail it as the harbinger of good; in giving 
birth to an institution which, under God, shall serve as the grand 
bulwark of evangelical truth and piety to the latest generations. 
Honoured in the church will be the names of its benefactors when 
the names of heroes and sages shall be forgotten. In heaven they 
shall be repaid with interest for every exertion, sacrifice, and 


53 


donation which they now have the courage and the faith to make 
in its behalf. Did men but know the true value of money they 
would not hoard it up to rust in their coffers, or lie useless on 
. their hands, when it might be made instrumental in diffusing 
peace and joy throughout the region and shadow of death :—in 
gilding the path of thousands to the realms of glory who are at 
this moment wandering upon the dark mountains like sheep with- 
out a shepherd :—and in gladdening the hearts of millions yet 
unborn. In this view pre-eminently, gold has a charm and a 
worth, which the ordinary worldling cannot discern or compre- 
hend. 


Happy the man, who, while he is prospered in business, knows 
-how to bestow to the best account the fruits of his prosperity. Ve- 
rily, he shall be prospered more abundantly in this life ; and in the 
life to come he shall wear a brighter crown than all the wealth of 
created worlds could purchase. 


Had it been my purpose on this occasion to pronounce the eulo- 
sium of our seminary, instead of urging the reasons a priori for 
your support of it:—I might have directed your attention to the 
good effects which it has already produced as a happy presage 
of the future. The tree is known by its fruits. The experiment 
then has been partially but faithfully made. At this moment 
the sons of the seminary are before the publick and in the ser- 
vice of the church. From Detroit to New-Orleans they have pro- 
claimed the glad news of salvation to thousands, with a zeal and 
acceptance, which have reflected the highest honour on the place 
of their education :—and which, until we have melancholy evi- 
dence to the contrary, must effectually put to the blush, if not 
to silence, the illiberal clamours of frigid, calculating, envious op- 
position. 


Has not the blessing of the Almighty already visibly crowned 
the plans and the labours of the friends of this institution? Can 
this fact be denied or concealed ? Does it not speak volumes to the 
understanding and the heart of all who are capable of compre- 
hending or feeling? And who is there so hardened, or so warped 
in his sentiments, or uncharitable in his views, as still to withhold 
his approbation or his aid? If any, itis to be feared, that the love 
of the Father is not in them: and that the love of immortal souls 
has never warmed and animated their bosoms ! 


«‘ Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ‘more than these? Feed 
wy lambs.—Feed my sheep.” 


E 


34 5 j 1 


¥es, blessed Jesus, thy true disciples will obey thy commands. 
They will cheerfully follow thy example in doing good; and de- 
light in every enterprise and in every sacrifice, by whieh they 
ean most effectually and successfully promote the glory of thy 
viame, and the happiness of their fellow men! y Ein! Aen 


om" . 


The general strain of remark and argument pursued in the 
foregoing discourse, so far as founded in truth and fact, will 
apply, mutatis mutandis, to any other theological seminary in our 
country. The author, though a presbyterian, is not, in his own 
estimation at least, a bigot or a sectary. He belongs to no par- 
ty. He heartily wishes success and prosperity to every simi- 
lar institution in our land and in the world; where the truths es- 
sential to the salcation of immortal souls are faithfully ineuleated- 


